Science Photo of the Day
What is special about an osprey's feet?
Fantastic, as usual. Like owls, one of their toes is moveable, so they can have three toes in the front and one in the back, or two in the front and two in the back. This gives them a stronger grip. They also have barbed spicules on their feet, which help in gripping a slippery fish.
osprey's feet
Welcome back, Mr. Krampf! We just got back too from vacation. We missed checking out your site.
We read that an osprey's feet can snap shut quicker than an eye can blink. Each foot has "opposable" claws--two forward and two back--to grip things easily. There are also little grippers inside the claw, but I forget what they are called. The claws are shaped like fish hooks. All of these things make them excellent fishermen.
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